11kV electricity substation at Hardshaw Brook Depot, St Helens
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by St Helens Planning Committee on 7 Oct 2025.
What was proposed
A brick, flat-roofed 11kV substation measuring 9 metres by 5.6 metres and 2.8 metres high would be built.
“The application is for the erection of a building to be used as an 11Kv electricity substation. The building would be of brick construction and a flat roof, with doors on its north and side elevations together with louvres on all elevations. The building would measure 9 metres in length, 5.6 metres in width and 2.8 metres in height.”
“The building would be visible from the public highway (Peasley Cross Lane) but would be partially screened by the existing boundary palisade fence. The proposal would provide an upgraded substation building for Hardshaw Brook Depot. The existing substation building (adjacent to the site) would be decommissioned following construction of the proposal but left in-situ.”
Officer report
The site
The development would occupy hardstanding used for parking Council vehicles within the operational waste management depot.
“The site comprises a small area of hardstanding within Hardshaw Brook Depot that is used for the parking of operational Council vehicles. Hardshaw Brook Depot is an operational depot for waste management and other services provided by the Council.”
“There is an existing substation building immediately to the west of the development site and security fence to the south. Peasley Cross Lane and St Helens Retail Park are located further to the south.”
Officer report
Earlier site history
An earlier application for demolishing a two-storey office and erecting a boundary palisade fence was granted in 2017.
“P/2017/0218/FP3 - Demolition of existing two storey office building, and erection of palisade fence to boundary. GRANTED 26.04.2017.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
The Coal Authority, noise consultees and Scottish Power raised no objection, while contamination conditions were requested.
“Coal Authority (27.08.2025) - The site falls within the Development High Risk Area, however, given the nature of the proposals a Coal Mining Risk Assessment would not be necessary and no objection to the application is raised. Informatives are requested.”
“Scottish Power Energy (22.09.2025) – No objection.”
Officer report
Public representations
No representations had been received by the time of the report.
“This application was publicised by means of a site notice expiring 16 September 2025. No representations have been received at the time of writing this report.”
Officer report
The committee decision
Planning permission was granted subject to conditions, with authority delegated to the Head of Planning to amend the conditions.
“P/2025/0484/FP3 Hardshaw Brook Depot, Parr Street Erection of substation.”
“Grant Planning Permission Subject to the following conditions, with authority delegated to the Head of Planning to add, remove or amend conditions as they deem necessary:”
Minutes
Sources
- St Helens Planning Committee minutes, 7 October 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of St Helens's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- St Helens Planning Committee
- Council
- St Helens
- Date
- Tuesday 7 October 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- St Helens committee decisions →
This committee's year
18 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.